Exo Goes Above and Beyond with "Exodus"

Upon receiving the award for ‘Artist of the Year in Asia’ at MAMA 2014, Exo member Lay took the mic and made a passionate and memorable promise to the audience:

Many of you have thought that 2014 was a black year for Exo. But from today, from this stage on MAMA onwards, the colour ‘black’ will be redefined. You know what, I believe 2015 will be the colourful year for Exo.

After all this talk, his promise has come to fruition with the group’s second full-length album, Exodus. The album reveals a clear progression in maturity for Exo, with a darker and sultrier tone than the previous XOXO.

In many ways, this album was a make-or-break moment for Exo. On the one hand, Exodus could potentially allow them to continue dominating the charts like XOXO and Overdose did. Or, alternatively, the album could reveal the cracks in the group due to the stresses of losing two members and generally being mismanaged by their company. Thankfully, Exodus has accomplished the former, with the album already sweeping global charts.

Exodus doesn’t open in the strongest way, with the slightly sappy “Call Me Baby” introducing listeners to the album. The song is an archetypal pop song, with the lyrics revolving around a lighthearted romance. The chorus makes the observation that “There are many who shine, but look at what’s real among them.” The catchy hook makes the song addictively sweet, even if it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Although the song is weak compared to its counterparts, it does provide a bright opening to the album (and is currently drawing a lot of international praise to the group).

The Chinese version has a bit more bite, with the Korean version being smoother. The song follows the typical format of most of Exo’s title tracks, as it also breaks down into a trademark rap section with Chanyeol and Sehun in the Korean version and Tao and Xiumin in the Chinese version.

Things take a much-needed edgy twist with “Transformer,” which pounds into second place on the album. Heavy drums with an electronic backdrop makes the song reminiscent of “Two Moons”, from Exo’s debut mini-album. The subject of the song is a girl who is as beautiful as she is intimidating, an unattainable mystery. The number of lines for Sehun have gone from 1 to a staggering 2 in the Korean version, which is a commendable achievement in itself. Tying into the mechanical theme, synths feature heavily, and is softened by the vocal line.

The listener is then taken on an unexpected journey to the past thanks to the 90’s R&B feel of the next track, “What If…?” Ghostly voices open the song, with soft vocals carrying the rest of the song. “What If…?” has some of the most beautiful lyrics in the entire album, with the protagonist agonising over a missed romantic chance and his past regrets. The protagonist sees his old love with another man, and sadly muses:

Oh you really look happy, you look happy
When I see you, so beautiful that it’s sad
I don’t hate him, I don’t hate him
Because he makes you smile like an angel

He acknowledges that he’s lost his only chance (“Now I need to keep you inside my drawer forever”), but is still incapable of letting the memories go (“But can I take you out sometimes?”). The beat prevents the ballad from falling flat, making it a song that still has potential for some amazing choreography. The song takes on an even more beautiful tone in the Chinese version, as the members’ voices are particularly suited to softer songs.

The atmosphere doesn’t lighten up with the next song, with the piano ballad “My Answer” following. The song expresses the desperate desire to be with someone, but not being sure if you will end up hurt in the process. Somehow, parts of the melody is reminiscent of a K-drama OST mixed with Joe Hisaishi’s trademark composing style. “My Answer” is all about the vocal line, who are capable of sending chills down your spine, as seen in the live performance below.

The album’s namesake track, “Exodus”, features the same instrument, the piano, but adds an edgy, bright twist to it. The notes twinkle (or “banjjak banjjak”, as Chanyeol sings), carrying the song. The lyrics succumb to a femme fatale who has trapped the subject in a toxic, dangerous relationship. She is manipulative, controlling and undeniably charming. Thankfully, the song hints at a positive ending, with the final lyrics proclaiming:

The epic “El Dorado” follows, with the chorus of this song being on the lips of every Exo-L. Revived from Exo’s predebut teaser days, the song begins with a whimsical beat and then explodes into a cacophony of drums and tribal chanting. The spirit of the song is one of adventure, encouraging the listener to act on their dreams. The song can barely contain its own excitement at exploring the world, chasing an unknown future. The performance potential of this song can be seen below in the group’s live performance at their EXO’luXion concert.

The lyrics clearly allude to the recent dramas the group has been through, going from 12 members to 10, which made some fans lose faith in their catchphrase “We Are One”.

In this dangerous journey, obstacles keep coming
But we’ve become one and have overcome everything
The light is getting bigger
No pain no gain, this is a world of mystery
Add all ten fingers to the circle above, we are one

Contrasting with the narrated intro to the “Mama” music video, the lyrics tell us that instead of being divided into two worlds under two different skies (as the subunits M and K suggest), they are now “Under the same sky, under the same name, we are one. So we believe in each other, oh El Dorado.” This song proves to be both heavy with meaning and heavy with its sounds, making it one of the strongest tracks on the album.

The unashamedly sultry “Playboy” follows, and it’s no surprise that this song was composed by none other than Jonghyun of Shinee. Smooth and breathy the whole way through, “Playboy” also features plenty of unnecessary noises in the chorus (looking at you here, Kai), which seems like a slightly embarrassing attempt at appearing ‘mature’. The stunning falsettos from Baekhyun and Chen are a particular highlight in the Korean and Chinese versions, respectively.

This writer’s favourite track, “Hurt”, creates a much moodier atmosphere. The song opens with a creepy, haunting melody (“Ice Cream Cake”, anyone?), and then pumps into action. Thematically, the song is linked to “Exodus” and “Transformer”, with a destructive love interest tormenting the protagonist. He’s driven to the point of near-insanity, desperately searching for this elusive figure in order to find love and comfort. The song chugs on in a moody, angry tempo, like a revamped version of “Black Pearl”, with a husky rap adding to its intensity. Ultimately, however, the lyrics reveal the true vulnerability of the piece.

Grunting and grinding into 9th place on the album, “Lady Luck” continues on where “Playboy” left off. A thumping beatbox opens the song, with the rappers and vocalists harmonising from here. Telling the story of a forbidden, secret romance, the Justin Timberlake-esque song also features obscenely deep voices and sudden moans. An electronic breakdown shakes things up and takes the song to another level.

Another throwback track, “Beautiful”, provides a sweet ending to the album after all the bumping and grinding from earlier. The lyrics express a simple and sweet romance, without any of the manipulative or destructive elements from earlier songs. Maybe a bit too flat and sweet to be everyone’s favourite, “Beautiful” is at least a sure-fire mood improver.

Exodus marks a new chapter for Exo, who are now travelling in a different direction from their previous releases. It seems that instead of crumbling under the recent pressure they have faced, they have instead become more motivated and produced this smashing album. No doubt, this era will be full of memorable performances and achievements.

But other than that, I’m really happy with this album! I think it’s definitely a perfect way to show everyone who that EXO was done for after the tough year that was 2014, that they are in fact still in the game and still going very strong. I liked every song on the album, some not as much as others, but there wasn’t a song I disliked or thought of as a filler. What I love about EXO is that they have all styles of music. I’m glad they’re my ultimate bias group, they are quality, no matter what others say, and I think this album shows that.

find_nothing_here

I usually like the M version much more than K but Kyungsoo is killing it this era. His voice is like aural chocolate.

“It seems that instead of crumbling under the recent pressure they have faced, they have instead become more motivated and produced this smashing album.”

I like them, but let’s give credit where credit is due–SM’s lyricists and producers. I really still think the “We Are One” is clearly a marketing ploy no matter how much SM tries to push it. There’s no way they’re the bestest of friends all the time.

cookiemonster

this era? Nah, Kyungsoo’s been killing it since day 1 – literally, from the first teaser. :P

chelsea

Strangely enough, I’ve been listening to the M version more this time around. Baekhyun’s high notes in El Dorado are a little rough on my ears.

Wendydust

Oh my God I thought I was the only one! Baekhyun’s high note before the really REALLY high note (lol bad description) sounds really off key for some reason. I think they should have autotuned it atleast >_< I listened to the Chinese version and Chen handled the high notes a lot better. But overall I prefer the Korean version of El Dorado

Wendydust

OMG I though I was the only one! Baekhyun’s high note before the really REALLY high note (lol bad description) sounded rather off key OTL. They should have autotuned it atleast >_< I listened to the Chinese version and Chen handled the high notes a lot better but overall I prefer the Korean version of El Dorado.

find_nothing_here

Well, Baekyun is too be avoided. And M Transformer>>>>>K Transformer by leaps and bounds. I kind of miss Luhan’s voice but the distribution is a heck of a lot more even now.

San

call me strange but i never took the ‘we are one’ slogan to mean they are bffs. Its pretty delusional to think thats the case. To me at least, the ‘we are one’ always refered to 2 things:
1. them reminding everyone that even though they are divided into K and M, they are still one group.
2. we are one as in having the same goals, the same strive to become better, the same wish of giving always the best performance. We are one as in being in sync with each other, so much that they almost become one indeed.
Because of this, ‘we are one’ prevails for me. It never lost its meaning.

kari

Yes. I don’t really understand how the author can talk about this album as a “progression in maturity” or “not showing the cracks in the group”. What does the group have to do with the songs, lol? SM’s songwriters wrote the songs (besides the one song Lay wrote). Even if EXO were the most immature idols alive, or stressed as hell from losing 2 members, SM’s songwriters would still be putting out good songs for them.

Menkara Henry

Somebody needs to talk about the Death Note musical with Junsu or I will explode.

YJYY

Wow did not expect this comment to pop up here but I am in full agreement. Maybe SB can do an article when Junsu’s interview gets released and subbed.

mijooliet

I was so impressed with this album that I ended up buying it (and chose a Sehun cover because he’s killing it). Exodus and Playboy are by far my favorite tracks, but I completely agree at El Dorado for being one of the strongest tracks. There is a lot of hidden meaning in this song (and somehow it may stand as a mock for Kris and Luhan).

I know why SM made Call Me Baby as their title track, even though I wish it’d be Exodus, since Exo does need something more easy listening, more generic in order to attract non-fandom people and receive maximized general exposure. So far, they’re doing great–proving it once again that SM knows best–, and I also find CMB slowly climbing up my favorite track list. But I still think that ‘baby baby’ sound and the ‘sheep-baa ing’ during Chanyeol and Tao’s rap very annoying. It almost overshadows their eargasmic voices :(. On a side note, I think I like the Chinese’s version of CMB better.

Congratulations for making yet another hit, Exo!

Shoo-Puff

…….No I am still not okay with EXO performing a song that compares an “evil” ex-girlfriend to a biblical figure that was responsible for the enslavement and infanticide of an entire group of people. Am I the only EXO fan that was disappointed with a good third of the album?

Jazz1105

My favorite songs are “my answer” and “hurt”. “Call me baby” grew on me after the MV was released. I’m so glad to see them doing well. It seems like after Kris and Luhan left, people only had negative things to say about them. So I’m just glad to see them doing well and moving on from that.

tooswayed

Overall I thought the album was a solid effort. Definitely an improvement as a whole from their previous albums. I agree that the sound is more mature. El Dorado can be epic with the correct stage/choreography.

I didn’t listen to the M version, but I feel like there is something missing that is preventing me from loving this album. They just don’t take me “there ” emontionally.

cookiemonster

As well as being a more mature sound overall, this is definitely EXO’s most consistent album yet. I was waiting for a 3.6.5 or The First Snow to jump out of the shadows but thankfully they never did.

Although, in saying that, maybe it’s because all the songs are of a similar vein and high quality (imo) that I find that there aren’t really any real stand out tracks from within the album. I can’t pick a favourite…Hurt is amazing, What If… mesmerising, My Answer gives me all the feels (finally the Angel team is back!!) but El Dorado just gets me so pumped up. Maybe I’ll just pick El Dorado because it’s like the new EXO/EXO-L anthem. The lyrics + the chanting in the background when Suho sings “find the El Dorado~~” has convinced me that this song is the continuation of MAMA. And I’m still optimistically (and perhaps foolishly) hoping for an El Dorado mv.

The only song I’m a bit conflicted over is Lady Luck. I really love the majority of the song but I hate the first 35 seconds. When I first heard it, I thought some kid was jumping up and down on a whoopee cushion or something. And the moans are a bit off-putting, not gonna lie. Although now I usually just sing over them.

After all the stuff that EXO and we EXO-Ls had to go through last year I’m so so so happy that they came back with such a strong album. I think 4/5 is a pretty fair rating. And although I am missing my fairytale lyrics a little bit, overall, this is probably my favourite EXO album to date.

chelsea

I think that the whole album is quality. However, unlike their previous releases there was no stand out track for me. The tracks flow well enough and the overall tone of the album is on point, but there’s no track I feel the need to play on repeat until I’m sick of it. Somehow that disappoints me.

What did stand out for me was Chanyeol’s lower register. (swoons).

Also, I feel like we must acknowledge the rise of Lay this comeback. My goodness, the man is kilin’ it. Looks like SM is going to let him branch out in China, which is kind of exciting although very much overdue.

ANANAS

I liked the second half of the album and transformer. i like listening to the songs in the M version more than in the K but it’s a nice album overall. I hope they release a drama mv because what a waste of beautiful teasers.

viki32

this album is great — and agree to everyone else, it’s the most coherent (in terms of whole sound) of all exo’s discography. although I do miss luhan’s singing voice (I must admit, he was really a whole package while in Exo being part of both vocal and dance line *and visual line, if it exists), I appreciate how lay, xiumin and tao gets more part in each songs (except the ballad heavy like what if, and answer and beautiful — where SM thinks the Chinese version needs additional main vocal line).

Lay crawls his way to the top by being another whole package (or jack of all trade) like what Luhan used to be. (ppl will tell me to move on — I know, I am moving on, but I can’t help but point the fact.) I’m happy for him.

On a side note, although I appreciate Do and Baekhyun in the chinese version of the three ballad songs, I can’t help to wonder what it will be like if those parts are given to either Xiumin and Tao. From all the live performances so far, Xiumin has shown good improvement in live singing, he sounds pretty stable. So… i think more live performances will do them good.

Another side note, where is Promise? I thought it would be included in this album.